Metal suitcase



Jan. 4, 1949. R, ss 2,458,233

METAL SUITCASE Filed Jan. 29, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV NTOR.

7 BY Jaw Jam. 394%. R. B. WEMYSS 2,458,233

METAL SUITCASE Filed Jan. 29, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1w TOR.

JLLM

. as shown by the outwardly turned portions Patented Jan. 4, 1949 METAL SUITCASE Robert B. Wemyss, Louisville, Ky.,

assignor to Reynolds Metalsv Company, Richmond, Va., a.

corporation of Delaware Application January 29, 1947, Serial No. 725,136

2 Claims. (Cl. 19019) The present invention relates to metal suitcases, particularly those formed largely of sheets of aluminum or other metals. In the following specification and claims, the term suit-case is intended to designate any such equipment permanently usable for the transportation of articles including sample cases, tool boxes, and the like.

The general object of the invention is to provide a suit case of strong construction, excellent appearance and light weight.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a suitcase in open condition;

Fig. 2 is an end view closed condition; 7

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section through the lower part of the closed suitcase shown in Fig. 2, on line 3-3 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section through the upper part of the suitcase, taken in the same plane as Fig. 3, but showing a modification in which the marginal edges of the two case members are turned inwardly and not outwardly as in Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 5 shows the parts illustrated in Fig. 3 in their positions when the suitcase is opened;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of the suitcase shown in Figs. 1 and 3 viewed from one side thereof; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 3,-showing a modification in that the marginal edges of the two case members are rolled.

In accordance with the iment illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises mary members Ill, ll connected by hinges l3, see Figs. 3 and 5 to a backbone Ill. The latter is formed with an inof the same suitcase in invention, the embodthree priternal reinforcing member consisting of a web l5 which carries a flanged head which extends a rib IT.

The primary case members II and I2 are preferably of identical construction, forming symmetrical right-hand and left-hand compartments. They may be made of deep-drawn metal, preferably aluminum, and may be provided with a finished and reinforced marginal edge all around I 6 inwardly of Figs. 1, 3 and 5, or the inwardly turned portions I80: and IBM: of Figs. 4 and '7, respectively.

The backbone l may be integrally cast, or it may be extruded and then bent to form a rectangle and its ends welded together. A portion outwardly of web I is cut away between I the outer heavy portion of member ID at points I9 and 20 and in the curled hinge areas I3 of the hinge plates. When both compartments are open, these hinges will elevate the backbone III to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. When the case is closed, the hinges and the ends of rib It will be prevented from bearing unduly upon the floor surface by the provision of suitab e supporting studs 25, two of which are shown in Fig. 2. These suds also serve to stabilize the suitcase in an upright position.

Locks 26, 21 are disposed on the frame l0, having tongues 28 designed to fit into apertures 29. The tongue of lock 25 is arranged to cooperate with an aperture 3! provided on the case section II adjacent the edge l8 thereof, and lock 21 may similarly engage the aperture 32 correspondingly located on case section I2. A handle 33 is secured to the backbone.

The backbone may contain acnter panel 34 (Fig. 1) which may be of any suitable material but is preferably made of transparent plastic. When one compartment, say II, has been filled, this panel may be used to keep the contents in place by swinging the frame into horizontal position and locking the same to section I l by means of lock 26. When the other compartment, I2, has been packed, the suitcase may then be completely locked by means of lock 21. The panel 34 may also be provided with pockets or flaps and I2, permanently interthe sides of members ll, [2.

(not shown) as is customarily done with inserts and covers of conventional suitcases.

To facilitate opening and closing of the case sections, hand recesses 35 may be provided in It will also be understood that, whereas there is shown a single locking device for securing each case section ll, 12 to the backbone H], a plurality, e. g., two, may be provided for this purpose. It will be understood that the hinge rod, which is indicated at 24, Figure 5, for example, may be made as an integral part of the web I51: and that spaced slots between the web and the rod portion may be provided for the insertion of the hinge plate ends, the latter thereafter being curled around the rod. As an alternative, the inner portion of the web 15' may be formed as a sleeve to receive the rod, the sleeve being cut away at spaced points to provide clearance passages for the hinge strips 2| and 22, the latter, in such case, being as to each suitcase member, a plurality of spaced, relatively narrow hinge strips having eyes at their ends for reception of the hinge rod. A suitable method of making the backbone is by casting the same-into an integral unit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. A metallic suitcase comprising two case members and a connecting backbone therefor formed of a unitary metallic member of relatively narrow width and having connected outer and inner walls which are spaced to. provide oppositely directed channelways for receiving the margins of the case members, said channelways merging into an inwardly directed rib adapted for the attachment of a pocket-holding division between the two case members when the suitcase is closed, and latching members carried by the backbone for holding the two case members.

2. A metallic suitcase comprising two similar drawn-metal case members, and a connecting 4 backbone therefor consisting oi a unitary metallic member of relatively narrow width, the outer portion of which is rounded and integrally Joined to a narrow web which inwardly carries a head, thus providing opposed channelways for receiv-- ing the marginal edges of the case member, said rounded portion of the backbone being cut away at its base, hinge elements in said cut away portion and connected to the case members, and a hinge pin connecting said hinge members to the back bone.

\ ROBERT B. WEMYSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Harrison July 24, 1932 

